It hasn't even been a week since Floyd "Money" Mayweather made easy work of Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, but speculation has already begun regarding Mayweather's next opponent. The hot name right now is Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, but "Money" would be best-off kicking that can down the road.
According to Dan Rafael of ESPN, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is already working to make a potential Mayweather vs. Alvarez fight happen in September.
I am working on the fight, Schaefer said. I'm crunching the numbers. You should see my calculator—it's red-hot. I am working on a lot of fights, but this is my No. 1 priority.
There is little doubt that Mayweather vs. Alvarez is the fight that most fans want to see. Mayweather continues to prove that he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but the 22-year-old Alvarez is the hottest prospect in boxing. With a record of 42-0-1 and a win over Austin Trout under his belt, Alvarez may be Mayweather's toughest challenger.
As big as this fight would be, Mayweather should bide his time rather than rushing into things. Alvarez is a young fighter who appears to be getting better with each and every fight, so he will be available to fight Mayweather whenever he decides the time is right.
There's simply no reason for Mayweather to jump at the fight right now. Aside from a bout against Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather vs. Alvarez is probably the biggest moneymaker out there. Once that fight happens, then there isn't much left for Mayweather to strive toward. With that in mind, Mayweather ought to fight at least a couple more times before tackling Canelo.
Despite reports that Mayweather's fight against Guerrero drew disappointing pay-per-view numbers, FightHype.com is reporting that Mayweather did indeed bring in more than one million buys.
It's difficult to say for sure which reports are accurate and which are false, but the fact-of-the-matter is that Mayweather is a draw, regardless of who he fights. His numbers would likely be up against a threat like Alvarez, but if he can do one million buys or at least close to one million buys against someone like Guerrero, he can be successful against essentially anyone.
Josh Slagter of MLive.com also believes that it would be wise for Mayweather to play the field and wait to face Alvarez. Mayweather made a record-tying $32 million for facing Guerrero, so it isn't as if he is desperate for money. Mayweather will make huge-money no matter what.
Based on his Showtime contract alone, Mayweather is already guaranteed a huge chunk of change. He is locked in for five more fights over the next 30 months, and the deal will make him the richest athlete in sports. Whether he fights Alvarez or not, that is basically money in the bank for Mayweather.
Also, in order for Mayweather vs. Alvarez to happen, Mayweather will either have to move up to 154 lbs., or Alvarez will have to move down to 147 lbs. Both men have competed in several different weight classes over the course of their respective careers, but it is unlikely that they will want to put themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
Mayweather defeated Miguel Cotto at 154 lbs. in his last fight prior to facing Guerrero, but Cotto gave him some trouble. Because of that, Mayweather may not want to move up again. If he has to in order to make the fight happen, Mayweather might as well rack up a couple more wins at welterweight before taking the risk.
Based on the fact that Schaefer promotes Alvarez and has been working with Mayweather as well, the odds of this fight happening at some point are quite good. It isn't as if there are two rival camps going at it, as has been the case with Mayweather and Pacquiao.
The fact of the matter is that neither Mayweather nor Alvarez needs this fight immediately. There is some money to be made for Mayweather elsewhere, and Alvarez can continue to improve as well. Mayweather vs. Alvarez will be a huge deal when it ultimately happens, but it simply shouldn't be in September.
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